Hi, I’m Joe V. The V is for Vadeboncoeur, but no one ever really calls me that (except my business card). That card also calls me the Global Director of Product Development, Marketing and Creative Design for Trek Bicycle. Yep, I am sometimes not really sure what all that means either. I do know that I dig bikes, oatmeal, motorcycles, burritos, the weird things I see along the way, my family and my job. I get to travel the world helping make great bikes, so it’s a pretty great gig.

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June 08, 2009

The Bike Blind

I'm going to be honest with you. Competitive cycling is not my favorite sport. It's ok but it's got a lot of subtleties that are just kind of....confusing. Time bonuses? 23 days straight? A team where only one member wins? Who can keep it straight? Baseball. Now that's a game. 9 innings, 3.5 hours, final. 0.4 seconds to decide whether or not to swing. Hit and run, suicide squeeze, and cutoff. Curveball, screwball, and spitball. Brush offs and walkoffs. Now those are sports terms. While the rest of my co-miners here at the salt mine may not share my enthusiasm for such "Ball and stick" sports one thing we all can agree on is the simple pleasure of a nice bike ride. One local baseball gem, the Madison Mallards have married America's greatest pastime with the simple bicycle ride by accomodating those who decide to Go By Bike to their games this summer. The Trek Bicycle Store "Bike Blind" (a play on the word "Duck Blind" which ironically is something you sit in while you are attempting to kill ducks) is an area next to the entrance that features a free secure bike valet and the stadium's best parking. On Saturdays friendly Trek Store staff will be on hand for bike washing and simple maintenance while you enjoy the game.The Bike Blind is the brainchild of the Mallards front office who noticed that their standard bike racks were often full and some of their fans were forced to find more creative methods of bike parking. Having a guarded, secure area is nice but the best part is definitely the country club coat room-style service you get. If you plan on heading out to the game, forget about worrying about parking. Take the bike.